... then how do I answer " are you good?"

Although I have a number of interests, I fit them around working in the golf department at a large sporting goods retailer.

Despite my wearing a cheesy lanyard that says "PGA Professsional," a surprising number of people ask me:

"Do you play golf?"

Rather than rattle off my background as a (former) avid player and a current instructor, coach, and golf professional, I simply nod and say "I play a bit." The inevitable follow up leaves me more baffled:

"Are you good?"

How am I supposed to answer that?

Between family, coaching, teaching, and working online, I frankly have little time or desire to play. I play mostly in short 3 to 6 hole segments before and after golf lessons, with my high school students, and with my 7 year old son. Otherwise, that's it. I played two 18 hole rounds in 2008. I haven't played a complete round in 2009. I don't compete. I rarely practice. I play to get some quiet and some fresh air - just like most of you! I like to play, but I can certainly live without it.

So that leads to the question; Am I a good player?

Statistically speaking, I am a good player:
Since I formerly put so much effort into learning the game, I have a lot of residual knowledge and "muscle memory" (if that even exists) that gets me around without looking too foolish. I am still far better than the average player.

I usually fire nine holes in about 40 and last year I shot 35 on the back nine at the Penn State Blue Course. (I played by myself and in just over an hour but it was an honest two birdie, one bogey 35.) My personal low is 67, but I think the best I ever played was when I shot 72 on a blustery day at TPC Virginia Beach. (I played the gold tees - about 7000 yards.)

I haven't kept a handicap in years, but I used to so I could model participation to the TPC Virginia Beach membership. I was the Head Professional, but I played to about a two handicap. Thankfully, my job was NOT to play.

Professionally speaking, I'm not a good player.
I have been a PGA member since 1999, and I have never played in a tournament. I have never been interested in competing and, therefore, I just don't practice or play the way I should. My game is sloppy and my lag putting - especially - lets me down quite a bit.

I'm sure there's a school of thought that says I should be expelled from the PGA for lack of competitive playing ability. After all, many say the PAT is too easy - and I passed that back in September of 1995 anyway! Many say a PGA professional should be an outstanding player, but I'll digress. That's a debate for another day.

Feedback Needed
So if anybody has any ideas how I should answer the one-two punch of "Do you play golf?" "Are you good?" let me know.

As always, I welcome your comments or feedback.

Keith Bless, PGA
kbless@pga.com

If you think golf is hard....

I am a husband, a father of four, and a proud PGA Certified Professional (Golf Operations, Instruction, and General Management.)

Although I previously worked as a golf professional with the TPC Network for nine years, I currently live in Central Pennsylvania and have a lots of different jobs and interests. Full time, I work as a PGA Professional at Dick's Sporting Goods. That provides a modest but steady salary and some strong benefits for my large family. Aside from my full time position, I work with the following:


I teach private golf lessons at Nittany Country Club: http://www.nittanycc.com/

• My primary instruction focus is on short game and course management. Overall, I feel that the golf swing itself is generally "overtaught" while the rest of playing the game is generally"undertaught."


• I try to give my students practical, real-life information rather than focusing too much on angles, swing positions, and basic golf jargon. I try to give my students something different than what they could read or watch on TV.


• I work as an independent contractor, and Nittany CC benefits with a percentage of my lesson fees.


• Nittany CC is really a different, strategic hole facility. I've never seen a club where the members themselves get involved in the facility's daily operations. I really enjoy the casual "just be yourself" atmosphere.

I coach the State College High School Boys Golf Team: http://www.scasd.org/254720916124951260/site/default.asp

• What a favorite! I love working with the boys and helping them with their games and their lives as much as I can.


• The downsides include driving the big van and the occasional criticism, but I still wouldn't trade it.


• I'm very proud of our boys and think the class of 2011, specifically, has some really strong players.

I work with Golf Recruiters Network: http://www.golfrecruitersnetwork.com/ http://www.tmggolfmanagement.com/

• This site is currently under construction as Golf Recruiters Network is transitioning to become part of the larger Trenchant Management Group.


• GRN helps student golfers find the ideal schools where they can play collegiate golf. GRN works with creating a student profiles, sending out mailings and DVDs, and making initial contacts with coaches.


• GRN provides families some help with legwork and also somebody to talk to who has been through the process.
  

I stay in touch with Penn State PGM Progam: http://www.hhdev.psu.edu/rptm/pgm/

• Last spring, the PGM Program let me be a part of their Player Development Program, which helps students focus their practice time with the goal of passing the PGA Playing Ability Test.


• The Penn State PGM program is the best. Their faculty and student leaders really care about the program, the students (on a personal level,) and their standing in the industry.


• The Penn State PGM program has graduates in the TPC Network, as well as at facilities like Augusta National, Pebble Beach, and Shinnecock Hills.


• If you want to be a PGA Professional, go to Penn State.